Matteo Guendouzi could be set to return to the Premier League five years on from his last appearance for Arsenal.
Guendouzi departed the Emirates for Marseille, following two loan spells away from the club after falling out with Mikel Arteta.
He later joined Serie A side Lazio on loan before making that move permanent last summer and he has thrived in Italy.
The French midfielder has made over 100 appearances for the club and is now attracting interest from England again.
According to reports in Italy, Guendouzi is looking to make a switch back to the Premier League in January.
And Sunderland are said to have made a bid for the 26-year-old.
Italian journalist Giulio Cardone revealed, via the Sunderland Echo: “Sunderland made a significant offer for Guendouzi, worth €25m (£21.4m). Guendouzi would like to go to England right now.”
A move to the Stadium of Light would see him rejoin ex-teammate Granit Xhaka, as the Black Cats eye another big-name signing.
However, it appears that Guendouzi may not be so keen on the move, despite wanting to get back into the Premier League.
Cardone added: “But not to Sunderland. He wants something more.”
The reports are likely to put him onto some other top-flight sides’ radar though, heading into the January transfer window.
Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle are also reported to be interested, along with other teams across Europe.
Why did Guendouzi leave Arsenal?
Guendouzi’s last appearance in the Premier League came in June 2020, as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Brighton.
He would spend another two years as a contracted Gunners player, but it was after that game that his career was derailed.
Things turned sour after Guendouzi clashed with Neal Maupay post-match, appearing to grab the Brighton striker by the throat.
The Frenchman never played for the club again, following a fallout with manager Arteta due to this incident and his ‘attitude and general conduct’.
He was dropped and forced to train away from the first team, as his time as an Arsenal player came to a sour end.
A loan move to Hertha Berlin came in October 2020, before a spell with Marseille led to a permanent exit from the club in 2022.
Guendouzi’s career in Europe
Since his last game for Arsenal, Guendouzi has reached a century of appearances for both Lazio and Marseille.
He played 103 games in total for the latter, scoring 10 goals and assisting 19, picking up 14 yellow cards too.
For Lazio, he’s now up to 107 matches, netting six and assisting 10 goals in his box-to-box role.
The combative midfielder also has 20 bookings to his name at the Italian side across all competitions.
Guendouzi would certainly bring that aggression back to the Premier League should he return to England.
Another partnership with Xhaka may not happen, but interest will be sure to pick up amid the claims of his desire to come back.